The Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum kicked off today in Riyadh, with the participation of officials and business leaders from both countries. The forum seeks to explore new opportunities to further strengthen the partnership between Saudi Arabia and the U.S., focusing on seven main sectors, including energy and sustainability, financial services, AI and technology, industry and manufacturing, aerospace and defense, healthcare and life sciences and venture capital and innovation.
The forum coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, bringing together major Saudi and American investors to celebrate a partnership that has been nearly a century in the making.
Earlier today, Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia to start a four-day Gulf tour. American business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, will join Trump in his first stop in Riyadh, where the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum is taking place.
Saudi Arabia, U.S. seek stronger ties amid evolving global economy
His Excellency Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, delivered the opening speech at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum. Al-Falih praised the size and caliber of the U.S. and Saudi investment delegations participating in the forum, describing the event as a reflection of the strong commitment shared by both countries, particularly their private sectors, to advancing toward new horizons of cooperation.
He also highlighted that this collaboration builds on more than 90 years of bilateral relations marked by mutual trust, respect and a spirit of partnership aimed at promoting the shared economic interests of both nations.
Al-Falih presented the Kingdom’s 2024 Vision 2030 annual report, highlighting the significant strides Saudi Arabia made in achieving its objectives. He also emphasized that the Vision’s programs have played a key role in diversifying and sustaining the Kingdom’s economy, while opening up new investment opportunities across a range of promising sectors. These include traditional and renewable energy, advanced technologies and industries, artificial intelligence, tourism, healthcare, biotechnology, logistics, supply chains and other vital fields.
“The rapid transformations, economic fluctuations and technological developments the world is witnessing will contribute to reshaping the global economy and will provide numerous and significant opportunities to strengthen and expand the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the U.S.,” he added.
Al-Falih explained that this rapid transformation underscores the importance of building strong and sustainable partnerships to achieve mutual interests, leveraging the strengths of both the Saudi and the American economies and companies.
Read: Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia, kicks off Gulf tour seeking major economic deals
U.S. is the largest source of FDI to the Kingdom
The Saudi-U.S. relationship has played a vital strategic role in the prosperity of both nations over the last eight decades since the first meeting between King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud and President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the USS Quincy in 1945.
American investors have played a key role in the Saudi economy, contributing around $54 billion to Saudi Arabia’s FDI stock, nearly one in every four dollars of FDI in Saudi Arabia. American FDI to Saudi Arabia has risen rapidly, with the U.S. representing the largest source of FDI to the Kingdom.
In turn, Saudi Arabia has also played a central role in helping ensure a stable and reliable global energy market, while also remaining a major investor in the United States, in sectors ranging from oil refining and petrochemicals to startups in Silicon Valley.
Building on these strong economic ties, the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum’s program will cover clean energy, AI, advanced manufacturing, finance and health. The forum will host ministerial dialogues, CEO panels, and exclusive executive roundtables to discuss the latest developments in key sectors. Key topics will range from green tech and digital infrastructure to biotech and defense. Designed for high-impact engagement, the agenda promotes innovation, investment and strategic collaboration.
